Trunk-catch



(ModeL) G.H.BLA KESLBY.

TRUNK CATCH.

Patented Oct. 31, 1882.

UN IVTOI? I Af forney STATES GILBERT H. BLAKESLEY, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT.

TRUNK-CATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,752, dated October 31, 1882.

Application filed August 10, 1882. (Model) To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, GILBERT H. BLAKESLEY, of Bristol, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunk-Fastenings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inven tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in trunk-fastenings, the object being to provide a fastening device for trunks or boxes which shall be simple and durable in its construction and have a positive locking action, whereby the lid will be securely retained in its locked position. With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinationsofparts,as willhereinafterbeexplained, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the improved fastening device in its locked position. Figs. 2 and 3 are detached views of the two halves of the device, and Fig. at is a vertical section.

A is a plate of any desired form, provided with screw-holes c.

B is an outwardly-projecting locking-stud, made hollow, and preferably cast integral with the plate A. The locking stud or projection B is provided with a beveled lip, b, to guide the loop over the stud, as will be hereinafter explained.

Within the chamber C of the stud is secured or cast therewith a bracket, 0, within which is supported the stem cl of the locking-bolt, the beveled head D of which projects through an opening, e, formed in the end of the stud.

The other half of the fastener consists of a plate, E, having screw-holes f, through which screws are inserted for securing it in place on the lid.

F is the locking-loop, the cross-barg of which is supported or journaled in the groove f formed in the rear surface of the plate, and is retained therein by the spur g. At the ends of the crossbar g are formed cam-shaped lugs, which serve to hold the free end of the loop away from the side of the trunk a sufficient distance to ride over the locking-stud B. When the lid is closed, the loop F will ride over the stud or projection B, and its free end will rest upon the beveled head D of the bolt. By impartin g slight pressure upon the loop the bolt will be retracted, allowing the loop to move against the plate A, when the bolt will be forced outward by the spiral spring H, which encircles its stem, and thus prevent any accidental displacement of the loop. To unfasten the loop it'is simply necessary to retract the bolt, the pin or projection h attached to the bolt-head facilitating such operation, and then swing the loop outward, completely disengaging it from the locking stud or projection.

In a fastening device of the construction described the parts are arranged in small compass, are not liable to catch on obstacles and be torn from the trunk, and no lost motion is required in securing the lid in place.

My improved device is also applicable to books and bags, and when so employed but little change in the construction and form of the parts is necessary.

I am aware that a trunk-fastening has been patented in which the face-plate is provided with a recess having a spring secured therein, and adapted to grasp the locking-loop when forced into its locked position. Such construction is objectionable, for the reason that considerable lost endwise motion of the loop is necessitated in order to force it into and out of engagement with the spring-clamp. Again, the strain is imparted to the spring, and is liable to break or setit so as to render it useless. Further, the spring must be quite strong and stiff to retain the loop against displacement, and when so constructed renders it quite difficult to disengage the loop therefrom. Hence I would have it understood that I make no claim to the construction and arrangement of parts referred to. In my improvement the loop swings over and engages a rigid lockingprojection, and is held against accidental displacement by a catch which engages the outer surface of the loop. By simply pressing down on the catch the loop is free to be unlocked.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fastening device consisting of a swinging loop journaled in a plate, in combination with a locking stud or projection on a separate plate, and a spring-pressed catch or bolt constructed to be moved inwardly and. allow the loop to pass over and engage the locking stud or projection, and to move outwardly and engage the outer surface of the loop and prevent its accidental displacement, substantially as set forth.

2. In atrunk-fastener, the combination, with a swinging loop journale d in a plate, of a plate provided with a chambered projection or looking-stud, and a spring-actuated bolt located within said chamber, and constructed to extend beyond the locking end of the projection or stud and secure the loop against accidental displacement, substantially as set forth.

3. The swinging loop having a lug or cam GILBERT H. BLAKESLEY.

Witnesses:

O. b. TREADWAY, M. L. TIFFANY. 

